Argentina restarts talks with Naval Group for Gowind OPVs

The Argentine Navy has been given the green light to restart and complete negotiations with French shipbuilder Naval Group, formerly DCNS, to procure four Gowind-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).

The decision to return to negotiations came after a recent meeting between Argentine President Mauricio Macri and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Switzerland. A firm order will likely be placed by July, local military sources in Buenos Aires told Jane’s .

Negotiations with Naval Group started in early 2016 and the Macri administration attempted to order the OPVs, worth EUR300 million (USD374 million), last year, but economic, public, and political pressures stalled the talks.

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